Business Engagement Center

Small Company Innovation Program/Technology and Commercialization Assistance

The Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MCRN) Small Company Innovation Program (SCIP)/Technology and Commercialization Assistance (TCA) provides matching funds up to $40,000 to Michigan small businesses to help cover the cost of conducting a research project at any state of Michigan public university.

The program is intended to help companies overcome a common challenge faced by small companies and entrepreneurs – getting research and development needs met so they can get to commercialization faster. Often, universities have the expertise and facilities that the company needs, but small companies may not have the connections nor are they able to afford the cost of conducting research and development at a university. The program aims to introduce companies to the benefits of working with a university to increase the number of university/industry collaborations across the state, and to accelerate a company’s positive economic impact.

How does it Work?

A small company can apply to be part of SCIP/TCA at any time when the need for resources at a public university in Michigan will accelerate product development and growth. Resources can be anything from faculty expertise, use of laboratory equipment and access to qualified technicians, testing services, business expertise and others. The industry/university partnership designs a project that will be conducted at the university. If the company and project are considered to be a good fit after being evaluated by SCIP/TCA, the program matches the company’s funds up to $40,000 and the universities pay for their own indirect costs. The company must provide its matching share upfront to the university as a condition for SCIP/TCA to release the grant funds to the university researcher(s).